BREAKDOWN
— Chapter II —
"Murderer!" a female voice broke. I didn't want to overhear but the voice had been too loud for me to prevent it.
The sound of slapping in the nearby office made me stop and I froze, moving further would only reveal my position as a shameless eavesdropper. I refused to return on my tracks. At my back, on the next alley, Betty melted in the arms of another man. I wasn't sure I could bear that sight, anymore. All her attention, only to him…
The sound of something breaking caught my attention. The voice continued.
"Only you would plot something as abominable as this. Oh, yes. The police will know about this. You just wanted to have everything or nothing, didn't you?"
I finally recognized it: Daniel's mother, Claire Meade.
A moment of awkward silence made me wonder if it was wiser to walk away or just stay there were I was standing. Then, another voice spoke, in such a glacial tone that sent chills through my spine.
"Claire, Claire… is old age already creeping in? Are you forgetting our little secret? If you ever try to sink me down with your pathetic tears, I will have no choice but to reveal everything away" that was definitely Wilhelmina Slater. "Oh, poor dear, take this. You better fix that face now that Victoria is here. You don't want her to look at you in such… pathetic shape."
Damn it!
I heard the sound of heels, as if coming out of the office. I instinctively took a step back but I really didn't really know which way to go.
"Giovanni Rossi?"
A hand touched my shoulders.
I gasped. I was caught. I turned and faced the one behind me.
"Gio! It is you!" the person said and gave me a tight friendly hug. "Man! it's been years"
Pietro Vitelli, a friend from high school, partner in mischief, back in those days I used to skip classes and get lost causing havoc all over the neighborhood. Same old Pietro Vitelli, a bit fatter and balder, now he wore the badge and the blue uniform of a local police officer.
Wilhelmina Slater walked our way and stopped right next to us. She gave a quick glance to Pietro and said in a strong voice that didn't even pretend to be gentle. "So when is this mess going to be picked up?"
Pietro assured her that very soon. Just like cops always did. She was obviously not pleased. Then, she looked at me as if it was the first time she'd seen me. I bet she didn't recognize my face even thought I used to come here every single day for almost two years.
"I need this place ready as soon as possible. We are Mode. We are can't afford to get distracted by something like… a murder."
"I understand" answered Pietro, eyeing her with those unabashed eyes that must have heard and seen everything in life. "We're already done with Matt Hartley. Next is…" He looked to his notes. "Mrs. Claire Meade."
"Good" Wilhelmina said. "She's there in my office. I wouldn't mind if you… roughen her up a little".
"We don't do that kind of thing, Miss Slater."
"Too bad" she said and walked out in her peculiar regal way, full of confidence and determination.
Pietro gave an almost inaudible soft whistle and spent a couple of seconds looking how her body swayed away, wrapped in that very tight red dress until she disappeared. Then, he turned back to me.
"What the hell are you doing in this place?! Do you work in here?"
I passed a hand through the roughness of my stubble. "Nah! I just happened to come in. I own a deli just two blocks from here. How about you! Man! A cop now? Who'd have guessed?"
"I'm a new man now. This is my last month of duty. I'm working my way to join the Criminal investigation Department. Passed all test. That's why I'm working with that slave driver asshole Detective Averaimo."
"Vitelli!" yelled a man. Two other uniformed officers stood on each of his flanks."Did you make sure nobody leaves the building?"
I eyed him carefully. He quickly caught my eye and looked at me as if examining me. But that only last a second he looked back to my friend, Pietro. I felt a bit intimidated. I wish I could have taken a bit of time to dress more properly. Even to comb my hair. The guy in front of me wore a smart suit, impeccable cleaned shoes. I bet he was popular with the ladies: carefully tanned, fair face with clear latino features and strong built... teeth so white it was distracting. Made me consider whitening my own.
"I did, sir" Pietro answered and cleared his throat. "Mrs. Claire Meade is waiting."
The person facing him just raised an eyebrow and, without saying a word, walked to the office right in front of us.
"Is that him?" I asked Pietro watching the man and his intimidating entourage enter the office.
"Yeah, that's him. I better go check the entrance."
"I'll go with you." I said and followed him. He didn't took the alley where Betty and Matt were. It was some sort of a relief. I spoke after a moment. "So, isn't this Hartley some sort of super millionaire? How did he die?"
Pietro laughed. "Money he's got, all right. A pistol wound. Three shots. Definitely not suicide. This is going to be huge. I'm surprised press ain't here already. Or the Feds… hell, probably the Swiss Guard will come that door any minute —Hey! ".
Pietro ran forward. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
The same woman I saw before, the redhead of the gray crystal eyes stood in front of the elevator.
"I just wanted to get some breakfast." She said in a clear and well modulated voice.
"Nobody leaves the building, miss. I'm sorry." Pietro said and guided her gently by the arm. She made a movement and set herself free.
"This is unnecessary. I understand, officer."
Pietro then yelled to the officer that was reading a magazine sitting in the receptionist chair.
My eyes diverted to those gorgeous legs coming out of her clean cut suit dress. She caught me looking and frowned but, to my surprise, she came straight to me.
At that moment, that I had her right in front of me, I noticed she had too many freckles in her face and was too tall and skinny for my taste. But there was just something about her that was alluring, I just couldn't tell… besides the stunning legs, of course.
"I'm sorry. I saw you earlier. You might think I was being uncivil" she offered me her hand and a smile. She had certainly retouched the make up but I could still see traces of tears. "Elizabeth Leigh. Assistant to editor in chief."
"Daniel's assistant?" I said, puzzled, taking her hands in mine. They were soft and gentle but firm, surprisingly strong for a woman of her fragile complexion.
"Yes, I've been working here for more than three months. I don't think I've seen you around, mister…"
I took a card from my pocket.
"Giovanni Rossi. Gio's Deli. Just a few blocks away. We do deliveries."
She nodded and looked at my card.
"My pleasure, Mr. Rossi."
"Call me Gio." I said and gave her one of my best smiles.
"Gio it is. Well, good bye, then." She said and went away into the office.
Pietro came to my side.
"'Call me Gio'" He laughed "Oh boy! You haven't changed a bit. Nice legs, eh?"
I nodded and made an acknowledging gesture.
"Don't sink your nose on that one, dawg."
I shook my head and the charm was over. My mind could still replay Betty and Matt together right in front of my eyes. I admitted to myself that I had no strength left to chase skirts. The pain was still there.
"I'm not interested." I replied.
"Keep it that way. That one? She's out of your league."
A crooked smile instantly formed in my lips —out of habit, I suppose.
"That's where you're wrong: the universe is my league."
"Not this time. That chick, she's Hartley royal blood, man. Cal Hartley was her uncle."
Next chapter… soon
